Why do we get nightmares?

According to the American Academy of Sleep medicine, 50% to 85% of adults experience occasional nightmares, with 2% to 8% of people having nightmares that cause sleep problems. No one likes having nightmares, do they? These vivid, distressing bad dreams often cause us to jolt awake, heart pounding, in fear or anxiety. They can feature threatening scenarios, monsters, or deeply unsettling experiences. How exactly do nightmares work? What is the purpose of nightmares? What should you do when nightmares become recurring? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : What is a frenemy? Which colours go well together according to science? Why is sitting with your legs crossed bad? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices